In an interview to BNS, the diplomat emphasized that Belarus was a very important economic partner for Lithuania, adding that political interferences could affect business relations as well.
- You are going to Belarus amid tensions in the bilateral ties, especially after the reported detention of intelligence officers who allegedly spied for Lithuania. What is your opinion of the background and the bilateral relations in general?
- First of all, I see this country as our neighbor and a very important neighbor. Without doubt, neighbors want their dialogue and cooperation to involve as few conflicts and tensions as possible. This is the objective I see for myself. There have been differences and tensions in the past and we may not be able to avoid them in the future, however, it is our objective to bring them to the minimum.
- While presenting you with credentials, the president said that Lithuania wanted the dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Belarus resumed. What are the perspectives and the conditions for this to happen?
- Again, Belarus is an important economic partner. It ranks 7th in terms of Lithuanian export markets and 10th in terms of imports. Transit, transport matters and loading operations in connection to capacities of the (Lithuanian) port of Klaipėda are very important. This is a huge interest of ours. Of course, we want the terms and conditions to be favorable in the economic sense, and this is something we must strive to achieve.
If there are some interferences, there are sometimes political interferences, they affect financial matters. Of course, we would want to avoid this. I think it is a mutual interest because both countries are interested in the economic relations. There are forms of dialogue – economic forums, business forums, business clubs.
- Lithuanian businesses have been fearing severe effects of the EU sanctions. Does the threat remain?
- We should understand that sanctions should have a purpose. They cannot be aimed against ordinary people and affect lives of ordinary people. They are an extreme measure, and any statements about the possibility of a loss are not unreasoned. This is true. We should find ways of talking to Belarus without ultimatums and sanctions but persuade each other that there are conflict-free ways of cooperation.
- Does this mean, in your opinion, that the earlier EU strategy did not prove entirely efficient?
- We should understand that introducing certain restrictions could push them into the influence zone of others. Let's say we restrict economic relations with EU countries and restrict the communication – this will force them into stronger and closer economic relations with other countries. I don't know if this yields a result. We should carefully weigh everything.
- The bilateral relations are also obscured by Minsk's plans to build a nuclear power plant only 50 kilometers from Vilnius. Do you think a compromise is possible in this case?
- It is one of the issues that contribute to the tensions, as there is a certain degree of miscommunication, and we want the process to be as transparent as possible, we want it to meet international standards, international requirements and the environmental impact assessment to be carried out properly. We cannot get our point through here.
Distances are very important and we are very sensitive about it being very close to our capital. Belorussians should also be concerned about safety because it is in their territory, even if a bit further from Minsk. It is a sensitive object and should be carried out faultlessly in the technological sense. That is why I see the possibility of communication – safety and compliance to international standards is a mutual interest.
- Lithuania speaks for a facilitated visa regime with Belarus – issues have been raised on the EU level, a mutual agreement has been drafted for facilitated border-crossing procedures. What initiatives are planned in this field?
- A lot has already been achieved. An agreement on facilitated travel procedures in the border region has been signed a few years ago but is yet to be implemented. We're waiting for the Belorussian side to be finally ready to perform all tasks. We have repeatedly heard signals that it was very close.
It is our strategic objective to allow Belorussian people to travel, see the world and communicate. We're ready to share everything we have achieved in culture, science, European integration. We respect the freedom of choice of all nations, including the Belorussian nation, when it comes to evolution of their countries, and the path they choose is their choice. However, we always remind the importance in the context of general human values and democratic principles. The dialogue could lead somewhere.
Going back to your question, I think this can be our contribution to creation of a civil society in Belarus. It is the choice of Belorussian people, however, we can share our experience and talk but talking is impossible without communication. Therefore, it is strategically important for people of Belarus to enjoy opportunities for simpler traveling and seeing the world, consequently, the role of neighbors is crucial in this situation.
As far as we can, our mission helps a lot and issues many visas. The procedures could be far simpler, however, it is a mutual task that the Belorussian administration should also seek to perform.
- You have admitted this year that you talked to Social Democrats over the possibility to take the foreign minister's post after the elections. Are you still looking into the possibility?
- We are now discussing other matters. We are going to the country to represent our country's interests. In this stage, we should think about performing our task better and discussing other hypothetical matters is not worthwhile.
